Emergency medical services workers, who regularly face high-pressure life-and-death situations, are among the lowest-paid first responders despite the critical nature of their work. A longtime EMS professional in New York City, now retired, has begun advising young people against entering the field, citing financial struggles as a key factor in his decision. His shift in perspective stems from what he describes as systemic underpayment for the risks and demands of the job. The warning reflects broader concerns about compensation for those who risk their lives to save others.
EMS workers, who make life-or-death decisions in emergencies, are the lowest paid first responders After 31 years in New York City’s emergency medical services, Oren Barzilay has started giving young New Yorkers advice he never imagined giving when he began his EMS career. “Don’t come here,” he tells them. “You are only going to hurt yourself.”It is a striking reversal for Barzilay, the recently retired president of FDNY EMS Local 2507. What changed for Barzilay was not his view of work or the value of service. It was what he believes is the New York City failure to pay the people who put their lives at risk to save the lives of others. Continue reading...
